Man with 2 rifles holds police at bay in Harford County

March 07, 1995|By Peter Hermann | Peter Hermann,Sun Staff Writer

A man armed with at least two rifles and apparently distraught over his girlfriend held police at bay today in Harford County after he fired two shots at a state trooper car from his apartment window, authorities said.

The standoff that began at 5 a.m. continued for at least four hours. The apartment is in the 4200 block of Conowingo Road, or U.S. 1, about five miles south of the Cecil County line.

Police did not release the name of the suspect, 37, but said negotiators had been in constant telephone contact with the man since 6 a.m.

Mike McKelvin, a state police spokesman, said the man has made no demands and has not said why he barricaded himself in the apartment. The spokesman said the man kicked his girlfriend and her 6-year-old daughter out of the apartment about 5 a.m. The woman called police and told them the man had at least two rifles.

When the first trooper pulled up outside the apartment building, which is just off Route 1 across from Emma Rockey Park, the man fired two shots from a rifle, hitting the marked cruiser in the rear quarter panel, Mr. McKelvin said.

The trooper, who was not injured and did not return fire, called for tactical units and began evacuating the building. Mr. McKelvin said all residents were removed through back and side doors with the exception of several in basement apartments.

Police surrounded the apartment building and closed Route 1 between Cedar Church and Hughes roads.